🔗 Share this article 'Major polluters face mounting pressure': Cop30 prevents complete collapse with desperate deal. While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies. Tempers were short, the air heavy as weary delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of abject failure. The central impasse: Fossil fuels Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels. Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not be repeated. Increasing pressure for change Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a plan that was attracting growing support and made it evident they were ready to stand their ground. Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather. Turning point By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I considered to walk away." The pivotal moment came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai. Surprising consensus Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording. Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done. With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis. Important aspects of the agreement Alongside the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will commence creating a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises This amount will not be completely provided until 2035 Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the renewable industry Mixed reactions As the world teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed. "The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one environmental analyst. This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility. "Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the focus at these negotiations," notes one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment." Major disagreements revealed Although nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis. "UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of global disagreements, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one global leader. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what research requires remains concerningly substantial." When the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.